Lake Illawarra Police District has announced the appointment of a new commander, Superintendent Craig Ireland.
Superintendent Ireland joined the NSW Police Force in 1988, and with more than 33 years in policing, spent the last two of those as Commander of Murrumbidgee Police District.
He has an extensive operational background, holding various frontline positions at Sutherland, Miranda, Bankstown and Hurstville. Supt Ireland was also a part of the management team at the Dog Unit at Menai for three years, before being promoted to Inspector in 2009 in Wagga Wagga.
There, Supt Ireland was the local emergency operations controller during the 2010 floods, which involved evacuating 650 North Wagga residents for eight days.
He then transferred to Cabramatta Local Area Command in 2012 and relieved in several metropolitan and regional commands across the state.
Other career highlights include working at the picket line during the 1998 Patrick Waterfront Dispute and at the Athletes' Village at the Sydney Olympics in 2000.
Supt Ireland said he thoroughly enjoyed his time in the Murrumbidgee region and is looking forward to this new opportunity in the Illawarra, having previously relieved there as Commander.
"I am very happy to have the opportunity to return to Lake Illawarra Police District, it's a beautiful part of the state.
"I look forward to working with police, the community and the local government to ensure the safety of residents across Lake Illawarra PD," Supt Ireland said.
Supt Ireland took command of Lake Illawarra Police District yesterday (Monday 2 August 2021) and replaces the newly appointed Assistant Commissioner Dean Smith.
Superintendent Chris McKinnon will replace Supt Ireland as Murrumbidgee Police District Commander.
